Like all medicines, valsartan can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Side effects often get better as you get used to the medicine.
Common side effects
These common side effects of valsartan happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Feeling dizzy
If valsartan makes you feel dizzy when you stand up, try getting up very slowly or stay sitting down until you feel better. If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so that you do not faint, then sit until you feel better. Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machines if you feel dizzy.
Headaches
Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Try not to drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller.
Headaches should usually go away after the first week of taking valsartan. Talk to your doctor if they last longer than a week or are severe.
Feeling sick (nausea)
Try taking your tablets with or after a meal or snack. It may also help if you do not eat rich or spicy food.
Being sick (vomiting)
Drink plenty of fluids, such as water or squash, to prevent dehydration. If you're being sick, take small, frequent sips. Speak to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration, such as peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee.
If you get very bad vomiting from a stomach bug or illness, tell your doctor. You may need to stop taking valsartan for a while until you feel better.
If you take contraceptive pills and you're being sick, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet to find out what to do.
Diarrhoea
Drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee.
If you get very bad diarrhoea from a stomach bug or illness, tell your doctor. You may need to stop taking valsartan for a while until you feel better. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
If you take contraceptive pills and you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.
Pain in your joints or muscles
If you get unusual muscle pain, weakness or tiredness that is not from exercise or physical work, talk to your doctor. You may need a blood test to check what might be causing it.
If this advice does not help and any of these side effects continue, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
It happens rarely, but some people have serious side effects after taking valsartan.
Call 111 or call a doctor straight away if:
- the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin turns yellow, although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin – this can be a sign of liver problems
- you bruise more easily than usual, get reddish-purple spots on the skin, bleed for longer from cuts to the skin, or bleed from your gums or nose – this can be a sign of thrombocytopaenia (low platelet count)
- you feel weak, have an irregular heartbeat, pins and needles and muscle cramps – these can be signs of changes in the potassium levels in your blood
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to valsartan.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Long-term side effects
Taking valsartan for a long time can sometimes cause your kidneys not to work as well as they should. Your doctor will check how well your kidneys are working with regular blood tests.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of valsartan. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.